Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Some people thought they were explosions. Some thought it was the mountain erupting. But last week's sonic booms actually came from a pair of F-15 Eagle fighter jets from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard in Portland, Ore.

They hit supersonic speeds in pursuit of a seaplane that breached restricted air space and got too close to President Obama's plane. How did those jets get here so quickly?

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Soldiers, Airmen, veterans and their family members can receive immediate help from mental health professionals by contacting the Oregon Partnership’s new Military Helpline.

The toll-free number is 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838). More information is available at www.MilitaryHelpline.org.

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Military Helpline provides compassionate and confidential advice, and crisis intervention free of charge for persons throughout the military community, including family members.

Oregon Partnership worked closely with the Oregon Military Department in establishing the Military Helpline, and forged a strong relationship with the Oregon Military Department’s Family Support Program. The Helpline utilizes Oregon Partnership’s longstanding intervention and referral services, which the nonprofit has provided for nearly three decades.

“This resource is important to our Soldiers and their families, given the number and scope of deployments for Oregon Guard units,” said State Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk Conley. “It’s a way for us to close the loop on the deployment process.”

The Helpline is staffed by trained volunteers—many of whom have a military background. All possess a strong understanding of serious issues that impact service members and their families, including job loss, family issues, financial challenges, and post-traumatic stress disorder and other deployment related mental health issues.

“Even though Oregon’s citizen-Airmen don’t deploy as often, or in the same numbers as Oregon’s Soldiers, they often still face the same challenges and issues,” said State Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Russell.

Following initial contact and triage, Helpline volunteers ensure the safety of all callers with discreet follow up, with their permission, and offer additional support and resources if needed.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Lance Englet, of the 102 Civil Support Team (left), speaks with Mr. Chris Kozlow, who is a domestic terrorism expert, at the Dynamics of International Terrorism Conference, at the Salem Convention Center, in Salem, Ore., Aug. 23. The week-long conference brought together a number of military and first responders including the Transportation Security Administration, Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, and others, to discuss international terrorism threats and security strategies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Oregon Air National Guard Maj. Dan Schilling (right center), and Lt. Col. Mark Crosby, tour one of the computer engineering classrooms at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Aug. 10. Schilling, who is the director of the Oregon National Guard’s State Partnership Program, and Crosby, who is the Chief of Public Safety and Security for the Portland International Airport, met with senior academic and administrative leadership at MIST as a follow up to an Oregon visit by school administrators, and officials from Bangladesh’s transportation sector in April. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)